Rams want aggressive approach by Bulger

ST. LOUIS -- It didn't take long for Marc Bulger to get back on track.

Coach Mike Martz said his young quarterback became a bit gun-shy because of criticism related to his 20 interceptions. Bulger also had mechanical problems in the Monday night game at Cleveland two weeks ago.

Martz said he encouraged Bulger to just let it fly. He helped the Rams (11-3) clinch the NFC West last week, going 20-for-32 for 236 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over the Seahawks.

"I talked a great deal to Marc during practice and during this last week and told him, 'Marc, you throw an interception, you throw an interception. The thing that makes you a good player is you're not afraid to throw the ball in there when you feel like you can.

"'That aggressiveness, when you lose that, then we can't do what we do on offense,"' Martz said.

Bulger also had an interception, but Martz blamed himself for calling an incorrect formation that left two players -- Torry Holt and Mike Furrey -- running the same route.

Before last week, Bulger had thrown 12 interceptions and only six touchdown passes in a six-game stretch. Against the Seahawks he threw more than one touchdown pass for the first time in four games.

But he didn't think he had become tentative.

"If interceptions made me gun-shy I wouldn't have thrown as many as I did in that stretch," Bulger said. "You don't want them to happen because they're turnovers, but (Martz) sees the tape and he sees why I'm throwing places, and he's not upset.

"Maybe someone else sees something, but I haven't (backed off) and I won't."

Martz also said Bulger had been getting into some bad habits, such as failing to bend his knees and get proper balance with his feet on his throws. Bulger said he might have been somewhat stiff-legged because of a sore oblique muscle that is no longer a problem.

"Whether it was an issue or not, I don't know, but that's good when it's mechanical stuff that you can fix in a week," Bulger said. "I guess my stats were better, so everything was back to normal."

Bruce expects to play

Wide receiver Isaac Bruce hasn't practiced at all this week because of a mild high ankle sprain, but expects to play in the home finale on Sunday against the Bengals (8-6) as the Rams seek to finish unbeaten in the Edward Jones Dome.

Bruce, who is 19 yards away from his fifth straight 1,000-yard season, was in a somewhat playful mood after Friday's practice. Asked about his injury, he said: "Oh, my ankle is great. If it felt any better I'd be in heaven."

Martz said he'd make a decision on Bruce's status today, when the Rams have only a walkthrough. Bruce ran some on the sideline Friday, and added, "No worries, man. I don't expect any limitations."

Bruce, a four-time Pro Bowl pick, said he didn't mind getting left out this year.

"I've got four of them on my resume right now, so I'm not disappointed," he said. "It's nothing I work for these days. I want Super Bowls more than Pro Bowls, so it's no biggie."

Martz endorses Lovie

Defensive coordinator Lovie Smith is one of the leading candidates to replace Dan Reeves as Falcons coach. Atlanta's new general manager is Rich McKay, who worked with Smith when both were with the Bucs.

Martz said Smith, who is finishing his third season with the Rams, definitely is ready to be a head coach.

"I'll help anyway I can," Martz said. "It's the right thing to do. If I was in position to select a head coach he's absolutely what you'd want. Character, intelligence, leadership skills and ability to communicate with players, all those things you have to give him great marks for."

The Falcons cannot contact Smith until Dec. 29, the day after the end of the regular season.

- HOME SWEET HOME: The Rams have won a franchise-record 13 straight games at home, and can wrap up their second unbeaten season at home since making the move to St. Louis in 1995 with a victory over the Bengals.

They were 8-0 in the Edward Jones Dome in 1999, the year the franchise won its first Super Bowl. That also was the Rams' first unbeaten home season since they were 7-0 with a 14-game schedule in 1977.

Wistrom fined

Rams defensive end Grant Wistrom has been fined $5,000 for a late-game hit on Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

The hit came in the waning seconds of the Rams' 27-22 win over the Seahawks Sunday in St. Louis. Hasselbeck had just thrown a deep pass on a play in which receiver Bobby Engram tripped over back judge Greg Steed.

Wistrom said he will appeal.